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Damn him for still having so much power over her.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
All right, Wild Bill. Give me hell.” Thatch climbed up onto the fence for his final training run. He’d taken two already, and, while they hadn’t been perfect, they were enough to be competitive. At least he thought so.
“Don’t go easy.” For some reason, talking to the bronc before he slid onto its back made him feel better, like he had some semblance of control over what would happen out there.
“Just get on with it already,” Kirby muttered from the gate. His trainer wasn’t big on pre-game rituals.
“Okay. Here goes.”
Thatch wrapped the rein around his hand and slid onto the bronc’s back, finding his posture—limbs loose, core engaged the way Lyric had taught him. There was no rush like that first jump out of the gate when the bronc lunged and bucked. But Thatch had learned how to move with the animal instead of against the momentum. Even the breathing techniques Lyric had taught him steadied him,slowing down his mind while the rest of the world passed by in a whirl of chaos.
Wild Bill gave a couple of strong bucks and then did a spin-turn to the right. The momentum rocked Thatch, but he managed to stay on and even keep his arm above his head. The ribs were vaguely sore, but overall he felt strong.
Another lurch and spin, and Wild Bill kicked his hind legs high into the air, arching Thatch forward. He compensated by tightening his legs around the animal and resisting the urge to hunch his shoulders. During another turn, he caught sight of the time board. He’d made it. Now he just had to get off before things went south.
He unwound his hand from the rein. The bronc jackknifed, and Thatch used the momentum this time to launch himself off the side, hitting the ground running and not stopping until he’d made it to the fence.
Kirby’s assistant lured Wild Bill through the gate, and Thatch hunched over the fence, out of breath.
“That was some ride, kid.” Kirby handed him a water bottle. “You ride like that tomorrow, you’ll place no problem.”
“You think so?” Thatch eyed him to make sure Kirby wasn’t being sarcastic.
“Whatever yoga crap you’ve been doing has fixed your form.” The man started to walk away. “You’re ready.”
“Sweet. Thanks.” It had only taken the man eight months to compliment him. “Will I see you tomorrow?”
“I’ll be there.” Kirby was almost out the door now, so it appeared their heart-to-heart was over.
Thatch checked the time clock. Yikes. He had to get going too. He couldn’t be late for his own family dinner.He’d asked Louie and Minnie to set up some tables at the back of the café where things were quieter, and Lyric had texted him earlier to ask if they could invite Aiden, Kyra, Silas, and Tess to stop by too. The more the merrier, he always said. But he also couldn’t help but wonder if she didn’t want to be with his family alone.
After shedding his gear and stuffing everything into his bag, he trotted to his truck and headed straight home for a shower. By the time he’d made it to the café, his family was already there, waiting outside the restaurant.
“There you are!” His mother threw her arms around him for one of her signature hugs. “Where’s Lyric?”
“She should be here anytime.” He’d texted her to tell her he’d be a little late, so she’d probably delayed herself too. She’d seemed nervous earlier, but he had no doubt everything would be fine once she got here.
“Hey, son.” His dad pulled him in for a hug too. “I’m looking forward to Minnie’s pot roast.”
“You should be. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.” Thatch ordered the dish at least once a week. He stepped away from his dad and moved along to where Liam stood with Sienna. She still wore her hair short, but she was a little blonder these days. “Good to see you.” His ex had made herself scarce last night when he’d dropped by to greet his parents. After their history, he had to take the lead on making sure she didn’t feel awkward.
Sienna looked at him with a hopeful smile. “It’s good to see you, too, Thatch. Really.”
“I’m glad you’re all here.” He waved them into the café. “I’m sure Minnie and Louie have everything set up for us.”
There was a crowd inside, but their two tables in theback had already been reserved. They all took their seats, leaving the spot next to him open for Lyric and the other half of the table for his friends whenever they could make it.
“Welcome, welcome.” Minnie cruised around the table with a pitcher, filling their water glasses. Thatch had already asked them to serve up her pot roast family-style, so she took drink orders and then disappeared.
“I’m telling you, there are such nice people in this town.” His mother turned to his father. “Maybe we should move here if you ever retire.”
“That’d be fun.” Thatch would love to have his parents close, though he couldn’t see his dad living away from the farm full-time. “Or you could even have a summer home here and a winter home somewhere else.”
“Now you’re talkin’.” His dad clapped Liam’s shoulder. “This one’s about ready to take over the whole farm anyway. Soon he won’t need me around at all.”
“That’s awesome,” Thatch said. His brother and he could not be more different if they tried. Ever since they were young, Liam had always been more of a homebody. He’d never even liked going on vacations. And from the sound of things, Sienna was the same way. They were good together.
